'Everyone is very upbeat': Quabbin field hockey is thinking positive during its 4-2-1 start
Check out a Quabbin Regional field hockey practice, and you'll likely witness a hard-working contingent determined to learn and improve amid a relaxed, upbeat environment. The latter is particularly obvious, most notably as the Panther players engage in their pre-practice jog, a routine dominated by laughter and camaraderie.
For the record, the practice regimen is working, too, based on Quabbin's fast start. The Panthers (4-2-1) notched a 3-1 win over visiting Quaboag Regional on Friday. Sophomore forward Farrah Wojick, senior forward Mady Breault and freshman midfielder Makenzie Casey scored for the victors. The Panthers fell to Sutton, 3-0, on Tuesday.
Though the Panthers are a testimony to the power of positive thinking, they exhibit much more than that when they do their thing on the field. Quabbin has oodles of talent, headlined by fine stickhandlers, top-notch scorers and aggressive defenders. The players, many of whom have been involved in the sport, together, since they were in elementary school, excel in the area of communication as well.
Senior captain Camryn Orsini, a back, has played on several potent Panther squads. She remembers the good and the bad. Orsini is happy to report that so far this year, all is good.
"We actually started this season in summer with summer leagues and preseason workouts, and we've been playing well the whole time," Orsini said. "I could tell early on that the girls were really committed this year. And everyone is very upbeat.
"In the wins that we've had, and even in our loss, I've seen a lot of determination from our girls and good teamwork," Orsini added. "It's been a fun group to be around with, on and off the field."
Orsini, who has been playing field hockey for 10 of her 17 years, enjoys being involved and will do whatever is asked. Playing defense is her forte, and she gets by with athleticism, including quickness, and a keen sense of awareness. With regards to the latter, Orsini strives to know where her teammates are and where the ball will end up going.
In that vein, senior captain Kylie Casey, a midfielder/back, added that both the ball and, most importantly, the Panthers, are headed in the right direction.
"I feel like from our first win to our most recent one, we've done a lot, like connecting passes and coming to the ball instead of waiting for it, and also being aware of where each other is on the field," said Casey, who will play field hockey at Worcester State next year. "We're communicating very well, and we're playing as a team."
The Panthers' commitment to team play cannot be denied. This was most evident in a win over Westborough, a contest that Casey, a 10-year field hockey participant, described as "intense."
"The midfielders, the forwards, and the backs worked well, playing cohesively in moving the ball all the way up the field, and keeping it there," Casey said. "I'm in the middle of it all, and I enjoy it. I try to be consistent, holding the middle. Also I like seeing the field and watching where people need to be and encouraging them."
Senior captain Gracie Talbot, a back, hasn't played field hockey as long as Orsini and Casey, but she brings the same passion to practice and games.
"I love playing field hockey and I enjoy playing at Quabbin — my mother (Meg) played here," Talbot said. "My mother was on some great teams. She encouraged me to play field hockey, but she was a midfielder. I play defense. Same idea. Quabbin had a strong team, too, and that definitely made me want to begin playing. It didn't take long for me to start enjoying the community-type environment we have here.
"Community is still strong today, and so is the winning tradition," Talbot added. "We're winning, but more importantly, we're playing as a unit. We're getting into a groove."
Breault, a senior captain, enjoys the community-type atmosphere, too. She also savors going out on the field and competing with her teammates.
"It's been fun — we're playing well, we're winning, and we're improving each game," Breault said. "There's a lot of work involved with field hockey. Conditioning is important, and so is getting to know your teammates. Most of us have been playing together for a long time. But we know there's always room for improvement. I like our chances moving forward."
Senior captain Annabelle Magill, a forward, shares Breault's optimism. She also savors being part of a team.
"A lot of our success comes from the enjoyment of just being together," Magill said. "It's more than just field hockey at Quabbin. Right after preseason, we did a team function together, hiking Mount Wachusett in Princeton. And we go at a really fast pace — coach Dickson (assistant coach Pam) keeps us moving. We also have things like a team group chat and pasta dinners. Activities like this bring us together."
Senior goalie and captain Julianna Stanger has a knack for keeping the team together as well. Stanger anchors the defense, communicates with defenders and works hard. Stanger has recorded two shutouts and has been a pivotal player all year.
"It's been a fun year and I'm playing pretty good — I had nine saves in one shutout, three in the other," Stanger said. "Playing as a goalie is a lot of work, but it's kind of rewarding. You're watching everybody play, and you see things from a different perspective. It's crazy the way you can see girls get better as the season goes on. Players falling early on and then making great passes later in the year.
"The action in front of me can be terrifying," Stanger added. "Players are all over the place. The defenders are trying to get the ball out, and I may not be doing anything. Sometimes I can't see the ball. Often, I'm waiting to get a glimpse of the ball. And, hopefully, it's outside of the circle."
Stanger believes that she's improved, particularly in the area of communication. She added that her field hockey IQ has gotten better over the years, and this has helped her communicate.
Other contributors include junior midfielder Haley Ayer, junior forward Jarilyn George, junior back Kylie George, junior back Sydney Slattery, sophomore midfielder Madelyn Stauder, sophomore forward Olivia Breault, freshman midfielder Kailyn Schuster, freshman forward/midfielder Abigail Rogowski, freshman back Violet Kelley and freshman goalie Aubrie Thorpe.
Quabbin is coached by Shelly Zalneraitis. She is assisted by Dickson and Jillian Casey. Dickson also coaches the junior varsity team. Lisa Rollins is director of operations.
Coaching changes
Andrea O'Brien is the new varsity field hockey coach at Shrewsbury High, replacing Courtney Lavin. Meanwhile, Sophia Monopoli has taken over as the varsity field hockey coach at St. Paul. Monopoli replaces longtime coach Julie Kreuz.
—Contact Craig Holt at sports@telegram.com.
This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: 'Very upbeat' Quabbin field hockey is off to fine start this season
